Michael Ray Richardson 1980

LeRoy Neiman made this watercolor of Michael Ray Richardson in 1980 with what seems like a joyful, intuitive process, and a light touch. You can see it in the washes of gold that create a sense of energy around the figure, and the small daubs of color—red, blue, green—used to build up the form. I like to imagine Neiman capturing Richardson’s movement and spirit in swift, confident strokes. I wonder, was Neiman sitting courtside, rapidly sketching as the game unfolded? How did he feel about the basketball player, Michael Ray? You can feel the artist's hand so clearly in the way the colors blend and bleed into each other, creating a sense of fluidity and spontaneity. The beauty of a work like this lies in its ambiguity, allowing for multiple readings. Neiman’s painting practice echoes the work of many artists who embrace improvisation and chance, in an ongoing conversation, and a continual exchange of ideas across time.